Harvard College Alumni

Harvard College Fund

Volunteering with the Harvard College Fund provides one of the most meaningful and influential opportunities for individuals to stay connected to the University. Our dedicated volunteer corps of more than 1,500 College alumni and alumnae spans more than 60 class years, and College parents and Graduate School alumni join us in our efforts to raise funds for a range of endeavors across Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

We invite you to join our community of supporters by contacting your class officer today. Your efforts ensure that Harvard can continue to provide our undergraduate students with a transformative residential education in a premier research environment.

Associates Volunteers

Associates volunteers solicit annually for leadership-level gifts of $1,000 or more to the Harvard College Fund, with recent graduates giving and soliciting at lower levels. Our steadfast volunteers understand that consistent annual support is essential for advancing the College's endeavors, from advising and the arts to financial aid and athletics. These immediate-use funds also give Claudine Gay, Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the flexibility to invest in innovative projects like HarvardX and House Renewal, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the student experience.

As an Associates volunteer, you join your class's Associates Committee and a larger community of more than 300 volunteers across all classes who solicit these leadership gifts. In non-reunion years, giving at the Associates level can comprise anywhere from 60 to 80 percent of an individual class's fundraising total. Most of the classmates you solicit will have given at this level, or close to this level, in the past, so you are approaching fellow alums with a history of giving generously to Harvard.

Associates volunteers participate in regular calls with their class committees, as well as one or two fund-wide Associates calls throughout the year. These calls provide an opportunity to hear from Harvard staff and volunteer leadership, and to learn best practices for soliciting at this level.

To join your class's Associates effort, please contact your class officer. Thank you for your interest and for your continued support of the Harvard College Fund.

Responsibilities of Associates Volunteers

Make an Associates-level gift or pledge payment to the Harvard College Fund. It is important to make your own annual commitment before soliciting others.

Choose classmates to solicit for an Associates gift in coordination with your class Associates Chair and Committee. A recommended number is at least 10 classmates, which averages 2-3 per quarter. The most effective solicitations are done in person or over the phone, but they can also occur via email. You will work with the other members of your class’s Associates Committee to determine which classmates to solicit.

As much as possible, participate in the Associates Committee conference calls with your class and the fund-wide training calls. These calls provide a forum for reporting on your own progress, for hearing about your classmates’ progress, and for sharing best practices. In addition, there may be some informal contact among committee members between meetings.

If possible, attend Harvard College Fund volunteer gatherings in Cambridge (September and May) and in New York City (January).

Send thank-you notes to your classmates who make an Associates gift or pledge. These notes can be handwritten or sent via email.

Associates Levels & Stewardship

Associates Giving has five leadership giving levels with adjusted levels for recent graduates. Associates-level donors are listed in the Harvard College Fund Annual Report of Giving and enjoy various special events throughout the year.

$1,000Associates

- Listing in the Harvard College Fund Annual Report of Giving

$2,500 Charter Associates

In addition to the above:- Digital copy of the Annual Impact Report

$5,000Crimson Associates

In addition to the above:- Invitations to regional events, where available

$10,000Leadership Associates

In addition to the above:- Invitations to special events

$25,000President's Associates

In addition to the above:- Tie or scarf for first gift of $25,000 or more- Invitation to President's Associates Dinner

Associates levels are adjusted down one level for recent graduates, who qualify with an initial gift of $250 (pre-5th Reunion) or $500 (pre-10th Reunion).

Harvard’s fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.

Participation Volunteers

Volunteering with your class's participation committee helps strengthen broad philanthropic support for Harvard's programs. Donors at all levels can have a positive impact on the University, and the more individuals who are invested in Harvard -- at any level -- the more successful Harvard will be. Individuals who give every year are also members of the Harvard College Fund's 1636 Society, which recognizes donors for their consistent annual support.

Both reunion campaigns and non-reunion annual giving efforts rely on participation volunteers to reach out to the majority of classmates. Co-chairs lead this effort and set an example by contacting 30-40 classmates, while participation committee members often contact an average of 10 to 20 alumni.

In reunion years, you are part of a larger participation committee. In non-reunion years, your class may continue to organize around a formal committee, or you may contact classmates on your own using CrimsonLink, the HCF's online volunteer portal. Participation volunteers also receive training throughout the year through our fund-wide webinars focused on soliciting participation-level gifts.

Thank you for your interest in joining our volunteer community, and for your continued support of Harvard.

Reunion Volunteers

Volunteering with your class gift committee can be one of the most memorable and meaningful experiences for Harvard College and Radcliffe alumni and alumnae. Many volunteers also serve on their class program committee through the Harvard Alumni Association, which plans reunion events.

Successful reunion campaigns engage broad volunteer participation and engage in strong, focused planning beginning early in their reunion year. Class gift committees are led by co-chairs who set the bar, the strategy, and the tone of the drive, working together with the Harvard College Fund to establish fundraising goals that align with Harvard's priorities.

In addition, classes build comprehensive leadership structures that can include vice-chairs and participation chairs as well as leadership gift and participation committees. Opportunities exist for all alumni to be involved at whatever level appeals to them. Co-chairs and vice-chairs may make a handful of targeted leadership solicitations throughout the year, while participation volunteers often contact an average of 10 to 20 classmates. This peer-to-peer solicitation is at the heart of our work and is what makes Harvard's reunion program so successful.